This is a tasty, unexpected first course that could also be served for lunch. We'll often whip this up whenever we have leftover crumbly, potent cheese on hand, such as blue cheese, gorgonzola, and even goat cheese. Adapted from Jacques Pepin's More Fast Food My Way.

1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously coat four small souffle molds with the butter. Divide the bread crumbs among the molds and coat the bottoms and sides heavily with the crumbs, pressing them onto the buttered dish so they stick.

2

Put the cream cheese in a medium bowl and add the eggs, sour cream, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Mix well with a whisk and divide among the souffle molds.

3

Sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture in the molds. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.

4

Arrange the molds on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes. The cheesecakes will still be slightly wet and soft in the center. Let cool for 10 minutes before unmolding.

5

For the salad, toss the lettuce leaves with the oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper. Arrange on four plates.

6

Invert each cooled mini cheesecake into one of your hands to unmold it, then turn it over so it is right side up and place it in the center of one of the plates on top of the lettuce. Serve immediately.